Submarine or submergible boat.



S. LAKE & E. L. IBACOGK.

SUBMARINE OR SUBMERGIBLE BOAT.

APPLICATION IILED OCT. 31. 1908.

Patented June 22, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET g n w n for/6' 507w 1o liale E I. Peacock.

attain,

S. LAKE & E L. PEAGOGK.

SUBMARINE 0R SUBMERGIBLE BOAT.

APPLIOATION I'lLED OGT.31,1908.

Patented Juiie 22,1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

2 mm 2" "0" my "In S. LAKE & E. L. PEACOGK.

SUBMARINE 0R SUBMERGIBLE BOAT.

. APPLICATION FILED OUT. a1, 1908.

Patented June 22, 1909.

30 that preserves the substantially UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SIMON LAKE, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT. AND EDWARD LASll'S PEACOCK, OF WEST MOUNT, MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, ASSlGNORS TO. THE LAliE TORPEDO BOAT COM- PANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SUBMARINE OR SUBMERGIBLE BOAT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 22, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, SIMON LAKE, a citizen ofthe United States, and a resident of Bridgeport, in the county of Fairficld and State of Connecticut, and EDWARD LAsIUs PEACOCK, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of l/Vest Mount, Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada, have invented a certain newand useful Improvement in Submarine or Submergible Boats, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

In the construction of submarines or submergible boats adapted particularly for long distance cruising, it is essential that the boat be capable of maintaining a large reserve of buoyancy for surface navigation so as to Withstand the weather, and that it possess the necessary strength to Withstand the pres sure of Water at the maximum depth of submergence for which the boat is designed. The object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of the hull which, without reducing its capacity to resist high external water pressure when submerged, has a high center of buoyancy and a low center of gravity when in submerged condition, and a very high reserve of buoyancy for surface navigation on the least draft and which is of a form circular cross-section that is essential for easy submergence and emergence, and which has such lines as will insure a very high surface speed under ordinary motive power.

The invention consists of a submarine or submergible boat, having amidships a double-compartment section of tubular form, below which the hull is given a substantially semi-circular cross-section, and the bow and stern sections are continued out from this amidships construction on lines that will meet the objects of the invention. These several portions of the boat may be partitioned off so as to provide water-ballast 4o tanks, quarters, storage rooms and machinery rooms, all and severallyas will be fully described in the following specification and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings illustratingthe inventiorrin the several figures of which like par tearssimilarly designated, Figure 1 aside elevation of the entire vessel, Fig. 2 is -'a' lair view of the same, 'Fi 3 is a longitudinal. sectionol the rear ha f of the boat drawn on a larger scale, Fig. 4 is a similar view of the forward end of the boat, Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section on ,an enlarged scale drawn on the line 5-5 of Fig 3, Figs. 6, 7, 8. 9 and 10 are similar views drawn respectively on the lines (i6, 77, 8 8, 9-9 and 10-1O of Fig. 3, Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are similar views drawn respectively on the lines 11-11, 1212 and 13-13 of Fig. 4, Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view drawn through the amidship portion of the boat illustrating a slightly modified form of the deck or superstructure of the boat.

A designates the entire hull of the boat, B the conning-tower, C the propellers, D the vertical rudder, E the horizontal rudders and F the torpedo firing tubes, of which two are shown in the presentconstruction.

The intermediate section of the boat (F 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10) is constructed of two tubular sections 1 which are arranged in parallel relation and extend upon opposite sides of the center of gravity of the boat as a whole. Each section is constructed of a series of substantially circular frames or ribs 2 which are covered by suitable platings 3 that form the shells of the sect-ions. The sections are of sufficient strength to withstand the external pressure due to the depth of submcrgcncc. These tubular sections 1 are each of less diameter than hall the beam of the boat. Arranged below and connected to the outer sides of the sections are semi-circular rihs 4 which are located at certain intervals throughout the length of the said sections 1 and are of a radius corresponding to the shape of the boat at the particular points at which they are arranged.

The ribs 4 are covered by a plating 5 which forms the outer, lower hull portion of the boat. 'lhis port ion is also made of sullicicnr strength to resist collapse. due to the pressure of water at the maximum depth for which the boat is designed.

G designates the stern sectionol the boat which is constructed of aseries of frames or ribs 6 which are substantially circular at tha portion of the boat adjoining the tubular sections 1,- but which are of gradually diminishing size and of oval shape toward the extreme rear end. The tops of the frames 6 10 are arranged substantially upon the same level, while the centers of their maximum.

radius are arranged in a center or axial line that is upwardly inclined and preferably curved from the rear-most frame 4 to the extreme end as indicated'by the dotted line x in Fig. 3. The frames 6 are covered by a plating 7 which forms the skin of the stern section and is a continuation of the skin or plating of'the low er hull portion. V

H designates the bow section of the. boat which is also constructed of a series of'frames 8, those next to the intermediate section be ing substantially circular and those next following being oval and of diminishing crosssection forward. The tops of these frames are arranged upon substantially the same level, with their maximum centers also ar ranged in a center or axial line that is up- Wardly inclined'and preferably curved from the forward rib 4 of the intermediate section I toward the forward end of the boat, as indi- .cated by the dottedline yin Fig. 4.- The frames 8 are covered by aplating 9' that forms the skin of the'bow of the boat and is also afcontinuation of'the plating 5 0i the lower hull or intermediate portion.

By reference to thefcr oss sectional views of the said stern and bow" sections, it will he seen that the ends are gradually diminished .in widthas well as depth with their upper ends arranged in substantially the same horizonta'l lane, thereby. giving a tapering form to the' ower surfaces ofthestern and-bow portions and'the fine-lines t'o-t he boat which conduce to speed. lhefshape of the ends may be changed to meet the'special cdndi-Y tions for which theboat; is designed without departing froni the broad principle of the invention.

Byreference'toiFigsdg 8-,:"9 and it} it 1 will be seen that-throughout.thelength of the tubular sections 1, the beam of" the boat ,which is subject to heavy external pressure,"

on submergence; is greater than the vertical I 7 axis, so that it is'necessary to extend the tops of the'stern and brfw sections above the tops of the said tubular sections in order to retain the even surfaces of'the sides. This. arrangement leaves a recess in the intermediate section of the-boat along the entire lengthof the tubular sections! andLthe' space 10 thus formed, is covered by a light weight skin or plating 1-1 which forms a su-' jperstructure at the said intermediate section.

-The skin or plati'ng1 1fispractically acontinu'ation of the skinor plating 5 of the lower sectionandof the skins 7 and}? of the stern" and bow sections and is supported by, light weight frames 12'that are secured to the sides :of the tubular sections in any suitable manner. The space formed by the superstructure is. designed to be filled with water when the boat is submerged and is therefore not madeof snfficient strength to Withstand the external pressure to which the boat is sub 'jected when operating below the surface.

This arrangement further increases the staftanks; The-compartment e is intended theliving quarters'of the personnel and the compartment;

bility of the vessel when submerged and also increases the reserve of buoyancy when operating upon the surface'as the space is emptied of thewater andconverted into an air-tight compartment.

13 and 14 designate partitions or bulkheads which are arranged'at the ends of the tubular sections 1 and separate the inter mediate portion of the boat 'fronrtheen'd sections. 1 Eachpartition or bulkhead is provided With-a door openingithrou h which horizontal plane of their center's-and the space formed by the said sect-ions and'the lower semi-circular hull portion, is divided by lon itudinal vertical partitions 20, into a central compartment '21, and two lateral compartments "22, The central compart men t 21' is intended 'for the location of the storage-batterycells and the compartments 22 are divided by transverse partitions 23 intoasystem of water-ballast-tanks, which tanks are, filled with water preparatory to su'bmergenceto reduce the reserve buoyancy oftheboat; Y L f The stern section of the boatis divided by transverse partitions or bulkheads 24 and 25 vinto three compartments d, e and f, and the space-between the partitions is divided by a h'cri'zlonltal partition 26, and the space below the partitiimfifi lis divided by transverse partitions 271nto a system Drafter water-ballastor" space 'l'l at the extremer'ear end of theiboat is preferably employed as an exhaust-tank into which the exhaust gases from the explosive enginesare conducted and allowed to expand. before being finally discharged-from the boat, thereby greatly reducing the noise incidental to the discharge ofthe product's'of combustion from such engines. An outwardly opcn-' ing check valve d (see enlarged detail to left .of Fig. 3) is arranged in the side of the boat to permit the gases to escape when the pressure in'the space (1 exceeds'that of the surrounding water. The space a' .ma v, however,- be used-as'an alrchamber or as a-sftorage- The compartmentf is divided by a horizontal'partition 28 to provide below alower Water-ballast compartment, and a space above for the location ofthc 1m )tors used forrecharging the batteries.

- 'lhe partitions 24 pose of presenting forms a support and are provided with door openings that are controlled by doors 29.

The bow section of the boat is divided by transverse partitions or bulkheads 30, 31 and 32 into a series of compartments 9, 71, land j. The space between the bulkhead 14 and the partition is divided by a horizontally arranged part'tion 33, the upper space thus formed providing a torpedo storage-compartment and the space below being divided by longitudinal vertical partitions 34, arranged in alinement with the partitions 20 to provide a central battery-cell compartment 21 and lateralwater-ballast tanks 22. The spaces h, 'i and j may also be employed for water-ballast compartments, air chambers, or storage tanks, as desired.

The torpedo firing tubes F are arranged in the bow section of the boat and have their forward ends extending through the sides-of the boat and their inner ends projecting into the compartment 9. i

The sides of the extreme forward end of the boat are curved inwardly as shown at 36 Figs. 1 and 13 to conform to the shape of the torpedo tubes to provide an unobstructed passage for the torpedoes when discharged from the tubes.

37 designates a hatch leading into the said torpedo storage-compartment, and 39 desig-, nates a hatch leading into the stern section of the boat. v

Any'suitable appar tus for controlling-the contents of the system of waterballast-.tanks. .n'iay' be-enugloyed and in practice we prefer to employ that shown in Letters Pate nt No. 803,175 granted to Simon 'Lake, Oct. 31st, 1 905.

The navigating-turret B rises from the tubular, sections 1 at the center of the boat and is surmounted by a conning-tower 41, having a sighting-hood 42, as shown. Access to the turret from'the tubular sections 1 maybe had through hatches 40. T he turret is also accessible through a hatch 43' in the top of the conning-tower, the top of the turret, as shown in Fig. l.

45 designates a hatch extending upwardly from each tubular section in front of the turret, by which access to, or exit from the'lorward part-of the boat may be made should entrance 'to or exit from the boat be cut oil through the other hatches.

In practice the navigating-turret and conning-towerand the upper end of the hatch 45 are inclosed in a suitable light weight casing 46 that is of double-conoidal shape in horizontal longitudinal section tor the purwater-to offer the least possible resistance-to .the vessel when running submerged.

47 designates the keel of the boat which terminates at its rear end in a skeg 4S having a rearwardly projecting arm 42) that for the vertical rudder.

and a hatch 44 in an even surface to the 50 designates tail shaft brackets .from which extend arms 51 that form supports for the horizontal rudders.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the parallel tubes provide a double-compartment construction throughout the intermediate section of the boat and,,with the lower semi-circular portion, complete the said intermediate section, and permit the arrangement of a series of compartments below and co-extensively with the length of the tubes.

It will be seen by reference ,to the crosssectional figures of the drawings, that by the arrangement of the tubular sections the ecu-- ter of buoyancy of the vessel as a whole is considerably higher than that -.of the socalled cigar-shaped boats for the reason that the centers of the tubular sections are arranged considerably above the longitudinal center of the intermediate portion of the boat and of the upwardly rising centers of the sections forming the ends.

The semi-circular section provides a chamber at the extreme lowest part ofthe boat whichis divided into a central battery-cell compartment and large lateral water ballasttanks which extend throughout the full length of the said section. As is .well known the battery cells are the heaviest details in submarine boats, and b "their-location the center of gravity of the cat is considerably lowered and the stability of the-boat greatly increased both when operatingupon and below the surface of the water.

Itwill be further noted that thasemi-circular. intermediate section provides for the arrangement ot'exceptiona ly-large waterballast-tanks which, with the watei",con-

t-ained in the chamber 10, formed bythe s'uperstmcture, forms a'large ercentage of the whole cross-sectional area ot the entire intermediate section ot the boat and therefore increases thereserve of buoyancy.

The engines for operating the boat when running on the surface are located in the tubular sections in longitudinal alinement with the propeller shafts to which they are connected. The n-esent construction shows an arrangement tor the installation oi machinery for sired to construct a boat to be operated with three propellers the hull would be constructed with three tubular sections instead of two, inwhich case the third section would be arranged between and slightly below the two sections shown in the drawings.

The main figures ol' the drawings show the superstructure semi-circular at the center of the boat. and of a radius corresponding to that of the lower hull portion, but wedo not wish to be limited to this shape as the top may be constructed with vertical sides Fig. 14 extending tangentially from the tubular sections and-with a llat r substantially llat uppersurlacewhich increases the area itHlllLll twin propellers, but if it is dethis section and the tubular sections and W shown the tulimlar sections 1 circu lar in cross section, it isohvious that they loo-val and of VLi'iOllS other forms 0 accommodate the styles of en- 's employed, and for arranging the lite as lea possible, and We therefore I thont departing invention.

claim is r 1 l Asnhinaririe or solI-mergihlehoat, con Sill icted'y-zith an intermediate double-coin Tart-merit section, a substantially S6H1l-ClYCU-- ar hull portion-below the said section, and

ends of the said douhre oonipartnrent section and from the said. hull portions,

2. submarine or so bmergible boat, cam stru'cted' Withan intermedlate double-coma 3o pertinent section, a substantially semi-circular hull:'port'ion arranged below the section, how and stern sections extending from the ends of thesaid double-compartmentsection and from the said hull ortion, the axes of which are upwardly. inc ined toward the eX- V I 4 tubular 'sections in the same horizontal plane tremeends of the boat. 1 V A SH hmarine or submergihle boat, com

jc rising suhst antially circular parallel tubular sections, a substantially semi=circular hull new and stern.- sections extending from the ends of the said tubular sections and from the saidh'ull portion,- 7

submarine or submergihle boat, corn.

each of which is fof less diameter than half the beam ofthe boat, asubstantially semir hull portion of the -full beam of the arranged below the said parallel sections, bow and stern sections extending from the ends of the saidparallelsections and-from I an.

tiihiilar sec-lions, a substantiallysemi-circular hull portion arranged below the said tu- PF} hular sections, and boar stern sec-tions Such a construction also pro do not to be limited to. the exact con, ition shown, these changes-array be from the spirit of how and stern sect ons extending; from the,

portion arranged solos/the Saki-sections, and;

prising substantially circular intermediate tubular sections arrangedin p arailel relation,"

smarine or submergible boat, corn-v mxising 'iljitsrinediate, substantiallycircular ssaoor extending from the ends of the said tubular sections and i'romthe said hull portion, the ma or axes oi the said how and stern sections being arranged in upwardlyinclined axial lines towardtn extreme ends of the boat.

6. A submar or subinergible boat, comprising intermed ate, substantially circular tubular sectionsarranged in parallel relation, each of which is of less diameter than half the b-BztlllOl the boat, a substantially semicircular hull portion arranged below the said tubular sections, how and-stern sections'extending from the said tubular sections and irom the said hull portion and, which are 01;] gradually diminishing size toward'thelr eX- treine outer ends With their opper siiri'aces arranged in the same horizontal plane and above the said tubular sections, and a snperstructure arranged over the said tubular se c,v tions and forming a continuation of the per-surfaces of the said how and stern sec tionsq" '5 A submarine or submergilo'le boat, cornprisingparallel tubular sections of less diam eter thanjhall' the bean. of the boat, a substantially semi-cireular hull portion of the full beam of the boat arranged below the said tubular sections, bow and stern sections and of diminishing size toward their extreme ends extending from the said tubular sections and 't hefsaid semi-circularhull portion, the tops 'oi' 'thesa'id how and stern sections being arranged in the same horizontal plane and above the tops of the said tubularjsections,

and a s rperstruct ire arrangedover the said bowv and stern section's. submarmeor su-bmerg ble boat, con-- inent sections, a hull portion arranged below the said sections, bow andstern sectionsextending from the ends of the said double compartment sections and from the-said hull portion and which have their axes rising toward the extreme ends of the boat and their upper surfaces arranged in the same horizon 'tal plane and above the double-compartment sections, a superstructure arranged over the said double-compartment sect ons forming a continuation of the upper s urfaces'of the said how andstern sections, a storage-ebattery' compartment arranged centrally Withinthe space formed by the double-compartment s'tructe d with intermediate dQUblG-GOIIlPfiItr sections and the said hull portion, waterk ballast-tanks upon each side .0f the said'b atef I wry-compartment, and Water-fballast-tanks' 9. A submarine or subniergible boat, comprising', substantially circular tubular sec jtending fro'm' thesaid' tubular sections and arranged .inthe said bow and stern sections.

92sec? tion arranged below the said tubular sec- .tions, bow and stern sections of diminishing size toward their outer ends and extending fromthe said tubular sections and the said hull portion, the major axes of the said how and stern sections being arranged upon upwardly inclined lines toward the extreme ends of the boat, partitions arranged in the space between the said tubular sections and the said hull portion which divide said space into a central battery-cell-compartment and lateral water ballast tanks, bulkheads "arranged in the bow and stern sections at the ends of the tubular sections, a horizontal partition arranged between the bulkhead at the forward end of the tubular sections and the adjacent partition, a partition arranged in the lower compartment formed by the said horizontal partition, transverse partitions arranged in the stern section, horizontal partitions arranged between the transverse partitions for the purpose specified, bulkheads arranged in the said tubular sections, a conning-tower extended from the said tubular sections, and hatches controlling :irdrnission to the bow and stern sections.

1 1. A submarine or submergible boat, comprising intermediate tubular sections ar ranged in parallel relation and in the same horizontal plane, each tubular section being of a diameter less than one-half the beam of the boat, a substantially semi-circularhull- ,oortion arranged below the said tubular sec tions w ich is of the full beam of the boat, b w and stern sections extending from the ends of the tubular sections and the said hull portion, said sections being of diminishing 51K, toward their extreme ends and having ti upper slut-aces arranged in the same a u-izontal plane, bulkheads arranged at the ends of the tubular sections, partitions arranged throughout the length of the space between said tubular sections and said'hull portion and dividing it into a central storagebattery-compartment and lateral water-ballast-tanks, a superstructure of light weight construction arranged over the tubular secl l l l l l i l l l l i l i l l tion between the bow and stern sections F providing a space that is adapted to with water when the vessel is submerged, transverse partitions arranged in the-bow and stern sections, horizontal partitions'arranged between the said transverse partitions for the purpose speci'lied, a navigating turret extending from the said tubular sections and projecting through the superstructure, hatches controlling communication betweenthe said tubular sections and the said turret, a conning-tower projecting said turret, a sighting-hood projecting therefrom, a hatch in the top of the turret, and means for controlling communication be tween the said turret and said conningtower.

12. A hull construction for submarine or submergible boats, comprising intermediate tubular sections substantially circular in cross section and arranged in parallel relation, a semi-circular hull portion arranged below the said sections and connected there to, and bow and stern sections forming continuations of the said intermediate sections and the said semi'circular hull portion.

13. A bull construction for submarine or submergible boats, comprising parallel tubular sections substantially circular in cross section, a substantially semi-circular hull portion arranged below the said tubular sections and connected to the outer sides there of, how and stern sections of diminishing size toward their outer ends extending from the said tubular sections and from the said hull portion, the major axes of the said bow and stern sections being arranged in upwardlv inclined lines toward the extreme ends of the boat, whereby the tops of the said sections are arranged in the same horizontal plane, and a superstructure arranged above the said tubular sections.

14. A bull construction for submarine or submergible boats, comprising intermediate parallel tubular sections si'lbstantially circular in cross section, a substantially semicircular hull portion arranged below the said sections and connected thereto, bow and stern sections forming continuations of the said tubular sections and the said semi-circular hull portion, and of diminishing size toward their extreme outer ends with their upper surlaces arranged in the same horizontal plane and above the tops of the said tubular sections. and a superstructure arranged overllic tubular sections.

1 hull construction for submarine or submergiblc boats comprisingintermediate tubular sections substantially circular in cross section arranged in parallel relation and in the same horizontal plane, each of said tubular sections being of less diainetertliaii one-hall the beam of the boat {a semi-circular hull portion of the full beam of the boat ar ranged below and connected to the said tuhu be filled l lar sections, bow and stern sections extendfrom theing from the ends of the said tubular sections upwardly inclined, and a superstructure m and from the said hull portion, said bow and ranged over the tubular Sections.

stern sections being of substantially circular In testimony whereof We have hereunt cross-section adjacent to the ends of the set our hands thisv15th day of October-A. I

tubular section; and thercilce of oval crcss- 1908.

section diminis ing tower the ends of the SIMON" LAKE boat with their major axes arrangedupon Y T t 7 upwardly inclined lines, whereby their upper EDWA LASILS' PEALOCIL surfaces are arrangedin the same horizontal WVitness'es:

H. A. LOVIAGHINE,

plane and above the upper edges of the said H. Cus'ris VEZEY.

tubular sections and their lower surfaces are 

